This is the first time in 8 years that I’ve had hope with Makayla’s education. Hearing the lessons coming from her bedroom I could have cried. We don’t have a normal life, but Robbie has given her some normality.

Makayla’s Mum

Makayla and her AV1

Makayla was diagnosed with ME at the age of 8. Due to her condition, she is not able to attend school full time. “I get tired, so have to pace myself and am not able to see friends and family as much as would like to.” AV1 has helped take the pressure of Makayla and allowed her to partake in her education and social life again. Makayla’s Mum, Michelle, has also seen the way in which Robbie and No Isolation have helped improve the quality of Makayla’s life.

It [Robot-Emil] helps me socially and with school. I also use it to make plans with friends and meet up with them after school.

Emil (15)

Emil and his Robot-Emil

Emil, 15, suffers from ME. He has been severely ill for three years and often has to stay in bed. Now he has a robot, which he has named Robot-Emil, and this helps him both socially and with school. It has been a positive change. “I can attend school and at the same time relax. That's nice,” Emil says.

Now I can take part in class and avoid absence even though I can't leave home.

Marthe (25)

Marthe and her AV1

Marthe, 25, caught a rare viral disease whilst in Kenya and has been chronically ill for five years. She lives with chronic nerve pain and is quickly exhausted. Some days she goes to school, other days she partakes in classes through MCAT1, which is the name Marthe has given her robot. “If I don't want to participate actively, but feel like observing, the robot lights up so that the teacher knows. When I want to raise my hand to ask a question, a light on the top of MCAT1's head blinks,” Marthe explains.

Many children experience loneliness when they are absent from school and separated from their friends for extended periods due to illness. Because of this, they may face challenges when returning to their everyday lives. The AV1 robot provides a solution to this problem.

Minister of Health and Care Services in Norway, Bent Høie

Eirik and his AV1

Eirik, nine, has cerebral palsy (CP) and three times a year he is absent from school, due to training which he undertakes for two to three weeks at a time. From his tablet, Eirik can see, hear, and talk to his classmates when he is at the training centre, and an added bonus is that Eirik's friends think the robot is really cool!

Emma and her AV1

When Emma, 10, was diagnosed with acute kidney failure, her immune system was severely weakened, and she couldn’t start year five at school. However, Emma now follows classes on the screen of her mobile phone, through a robot standing on her desk in the classroom. With her finger, Emma controls the robot using an app. She can rotate the robot sideways, and up and down. Often her friends bring the robot outside during breaks so that Emma can see what is happening in the schoolyard too. Emma really likes that she can talk to her classmates during breaks.

Lina and her AV1

Lina, 14, has been diagnosed with ME and is frequently away from school. However, since she received her AV1, she can be present in the classroom on days that she is not able to be physically present herself. “I participate in many more classes now than I did before, and I’m a lot more engaged with what is happening at school,” Lina explains.